Justice & Peace : The Inegrity of the Creation
Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation
We, the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, have also received a calling like that of the Apostles and have been granted the gift to follow Christ in a communion of life and to go out into the whole world to proclaim the Good News to every creature. Therefore the following of Christ as set forth in the gospel is our supreme rule. And so we listen to the Lord's words, eager to learn from him as he calls his disciples to be perfect as their Father is perfect, as he gives them the new commandment of fraternal love, as he urges them to pray, as he gives them rules for apostolic life and as he proclaims that the poor in spirit, the sorrowing, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for justice, the merciful, the single-hearted, the peacemakers, those who suffer persecution for the cause of right and endure slander for his sake, are all sharers in his own blessedness. We answer this divine call by adopting Jesus' way of life, a way which the Virgin Mary, too, embraced in faith. And so in the Church we have to manifest Christ's virginity, poverty and obedience in proclaiming the Good News. Through our profession of the evangelical counsels by public vows we dedicate ourselves to God and are consecrated by him, and thus form in the Church an Institute which is truly and fully apostolic. Constitutions (Nos. 4-5)
We wish above all to announce the Kingdom of God and with it, Jesus, the Mediator of the Kingdom, the beloved Son of the Abba, and our Brother. We want our announcement to come from the heart. We want to be founded on a wise knowledge of the Scriptures in their historical context and of Christian Tradition. We want it to disclose the way Jesus remains alive in those who carry on his actions and pronounce his words in solidarity with the poor, with sinners, with the sick and the marginalized. Our word and preaching of the God of Life and Love will be a consoling and hope-filled announcement, especially for his wounded people. Our service of the Word will be prophetic whenever it is backed by actions that tend to heal the ills that afflict our brothers and sisters. Everywhere in the world, our words and actions will denounce the unjust economic order that values profit above persons and causes so much poverty, dehumanization and death. It will likewise be a denunciation of all that can wound human rights, peace and justice, or destroy nature. In Prophetic Mission (Nos. 42-44)
Exclusion is one of the main consequences of today's process of globalization, creating shortages and new types of poverty that surely lead towards a progressive disregard for life. Solidarity with the poor, the excluded and those whose right to life is threatened and a commitment to their liberation are essential aspects of our faith in Christ and the prophetic dimension of our missionary life. Therefore, we choose as our priority solidarity with the poor, the excluded and those whose right to life is threatened so that this impacts our personal and community lifestyle, in our apostolic mission and our institutions. That They May Have Life (Nos. 38-40)
As a Province and Congregation of Claretian Missionaries we are committed to promoting and protecting the right to life and the human rights of all God's people. Efforts on behalf of immigrants, peace and nonviolence in our communities and world, solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed throughout the human family, and the protection of the environment and all God's creation are specific options of our commitment to Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. Claretian Missionaries are involved locally and globally in communion with other religious and secular groups and organizations here in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Please see the following link for more information:
www.utopia.pcn.net/modules/altern8news
© Copyright 2006 - Claretian Missionaries of the Western Province. All Rights Reserved.
